When Serge Gnabry made his Arsenal debut in September of 2013, people were sceptical on whether or not this young German winger could make the grade at Arsenal, and Gnabry took his chance by the scruff of the neck. The 19-year-old winger impressed on his debut against Stoke City, and in the following game, Gnabry scored his first goal for Arsenal in a 2-1 win away to Swansea. Things were looking up for the teenager, Gnabry’s unexpected successful start to the season was sweetened even more by a new five-year contract with Arsenal, and a nomination for the Golden Boy award.
As the 2013-14 season progressed, Gnabry’s performances got better and better, as the German winger put on a Man of the Match display to help Arsenal eliminate North London rivals Tottenham in the FA Cup third round, a tournament in which Arsenal went on to win. However Gnabry’s season came to a grinding halt when the German picked up a knee injury in April, which ruled Gnabry out until October. However as soon as Gnabry returned to the Under 21’s, the former Stuttgart player suffered another injury, ruling him out for a further six months.
Gnabry has only just returned from his newest injury and the winger has already regained his spot in the U21 side, so the question remains; should Gnabry remain in the U21 side? Gnabry obviously has the talent to play at a higher level than the Arsenal Under 21 team, however promoting him permanently to the first team could hinder Gnabry’s growth as he will probably only play in League Cup games, or for the last five minutes of a Premier League match. Furthermore, with Arsenal’s vast variety of attacking players already at their disposal, it will be extremely difficult for Gnabry to even make a substitute appearance for the Gunners.
Another option for Gnabry is a loan move to another Premier League team or somewhere abroad for a season, where he will be guaranteed first team football. This could be the best move the teenager makes because it will allow Gnabry to gain plenty of first team experience for a good side, and it could persuade Arsene Wenger that Gnabry would be a realistic replacement for Theo Walcott, who looks set to leave the Emirates soon.
At 19, Gnabry certainly has bright future ahead of him, but keeping him in the Arsenal U21 side would only hinder his potential, meaning that if the German could secure first team football on loan, we could see the beginning of an exciting and great footballer.